Family Science Night at Colvin Run Elementary

Colvin Run Elementary School (CRES) hosted its second annual Family Science Night on Dec. 6, with hands-on experiments from the Children's Science Center's Museum Without Walls Mobile Labs. Museum Without Walls Mobile Labs provided experiments, which included Animal Adaptations, Getting to the Heart of Your Heart, Investigating Density, and Forensic Science, to name a few. The two-hour evening program combined science learning and family bonding. Hands-on activities demonstrate a variety of scientific principles and make S.T.E.A.M. learning fun and accessible to today’s students.

Students had the opportunity to watch science-themed movies projected above on a dome theater screen. The dome theater is a mobile planetarium that featured innovative shows such as The Dinosaur Prophecy, Earth’s Wild Ride, Future Moon, Force Five, and Into the Deep.

Colvin Run Elementary School students presented their science projects to Family Science Night attendees. Student science projects included a simple water purifier, a vehicle propulsion system, and DNA theory and genetics. Students presented their methodology and their experimental results from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The CRES PTO funded a new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (S.T.E.A.M.) Lab. Located in a dedicated space and administered by CRES teacher, Susan Blackwell, the lab features state-of-the-art technology that allows CRES students the opportunity to take part in fun, engaging activities that build upon aspects of their current curriculum. Blackwell stated, "The students are very excited about Family Science Night. I have heard them talking enthusiastically about the evening. The event is a great extension to the work we are doing in the S.T.E.A.M. Lab and across the school. It ties together a fun family event to what we are doing in the classroom."

Ken Junge, Principal of Colvin Run Elementary School noted, "Family Science Night has a wide range of activities designed to engage the whole family in hands-on and minds-on learning. I am delighted to see our students presenting their own projects and families being able to tour our new S.T.E.A.M. Lab. With our focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (S.T.E.A.M.), this evening continues to celebrate the excitement of discovery within all of us."

Colvin Run Elementary School (CRES) opened in 2003 and is located at 1400 Trap Road in Vienna. Ken Junge is the Principal and the Assistant Principal is Mary Lou Carmack.

CRES PTO comprises of parents and teachers who actively support a variety of enrichment programs for CRES students. The current CRES PTO president is Carolyn Rumpel.